![]() ![]() The word through which Germans interpret themselves, which more than any other expresses their pride (in their own being), is Kultur. There is a German obsession for distinguishing between “civilization” and “culture.” In German usage, Zivilisation means something that is indeed useful, but nevertheless only something of value of the second rank, comprising only the outer appearance of human beings, the surface of human existence. Peter Watson cautions the reader to understand there is a huge difference between culture and civilization (to Germans): Politics and the affairs of the state represented the area of their humiliation and lack of freedom, while culture represented the sphere of their freedom and their pride. ![]() This remarkable transformation is the subject of The German Genius. Germany went from being a poor relation among Western countries, intellectually speaking, to the dominant force – more influential in the realm of ideas than France or Britain or Italy or the Netherlands, more so even than the United States. ![]() Peter Watson maintains that Hitler and the Holocaust are preoccupying the world to such an extent that we are denying ourselves important aspects elsewhere in German history. ![]()
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